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Cosmeceuticals: what are they and can they be natural?

Cosmeceuticals, as the name suggests, are functional skincare products that use
pharmaceutical grade ingredients to target specific skin conditions or give
discernible, fast-acting results. They're designed to
give you clear, firm, glowing skin through the use of potent formulations that
are scientifically tested to produce very visible results.

What sets cosmeceuticals apart from the standard skincare ranges you
can buy at department stores, pharmacies and health food stores, is that they use medical grade synthetic ingredients and combine them with highly active
natural ingredients, like antioxidants, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and retinol.

AHAs
improve skin texture and reduce the signs of ageing by promoting cell shedding
in the outer layers of the epidermis and by restoring hydration. AHAs, also
known as fruit acids, found in cosmeceuticals include citric acid, glycolic
acid, lactic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid and tartaric acid.

Antioxidants
reduce free-radical damage and prevent degradation of the skin at a cellular
level. They also reduce inflammation, which can deplete collagen, and protect
the skin against photoaging. Common antioxidants used in cosmeceuticals
include alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), niacinamide
(vitamin B3), N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), tocopherol (vitamin E) and
ubiquinone (CoQ10).

Retinoids are one of the most common ingredients found in
cosmeceuticals. They consist of natural and synthetic derivative of vitamin A
that reduce hyperpigmentation and slow down the visible signs of ageing by
inhibiting the enzymes that break down collagen.

Key
retinoids include:

retinoic acid – a synthetic form of vitamin A which can only be given
by prescription. It definitely reduces the signs of ageing but can cause
burning and scaling.

retinol (vitamin A) is more gentle than retinoic acid. It is
a natural
form of vitamin A, found in egg yolks and fish liver oil and formed in the body
by the hydrolysis of retinyl esters. It’s not actively found in the skin but
when applied, it is converted into retinoic acid and works to fight free
radicals, improve cell turnover and boost collagen levels. It can help diminish the signs of ageing, combat acne and reduce sun damage, but it’s not great for
sensitive or dry skin. It can cause short-term irritation, redness and thinned
skin which is more susceptible to UVA rays.

retinaldehyde is created in the conversion of retinol to retinoic acid and it
can help minimise the appearance of fine and deep wrinkles.

Common cosmeceutical ingredients that are cause for concern

Cosmeceuticals can undoubtedly have a dramatic impact on your
skin, but unfortunately they usually come with a host of ingredients that could
be potentially harmful to your health.

These include nanoparticles,
depigmenting and skin-lightening agents like hydroquinone (banned as a
depigmenting agent in Australia, Europe and Canada due to concerns it is
carcinogenic) and numerous preservatives, foaming agents and synthetic
fragrances.

Nanoparticles readily penetrate skin,
and can enter the bloodstream and it has been suggested, could contribute to
nerve damage and degenerative brain disorders.

Other toxic ingredients to watch out
for in cosmeceuticals include carcinogens such as acrylamide, and carcinogenic
contaminants such as ethylene oxide, dioxane, nitrosamines and acrylamide and
formaldehyde. They may also include allergens, and toxic hormonal ingredients.

Can cosmeceuticals be natural?

YES! We were one of the first organic
skincare companies to up the ante on skincare by combining our natural and organic ethos with the mindset of a cosmeceutical range.

When you use our products, you can really feel
and see them working every day. We use botanical cosmeceuticals such as these
to ensure our products give you real and visible results.

Peptides – these are amino acid
chains that occur naturally in the body and serve as the building blocks for
protein. They help reduce the signs of ageing by reducing the breakdown of
collagen and restructuring the skin. The peptides we use include: antarcticine
pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, a glycoprotein produced with cyro-protective
properties; argireline, which inhibits the SNARE complex formation and
catecholamine release and acts as a muscle relaxer that has the same effect as
Botox.

CoEnzyme Q10 Ubiquinone – a common
ingredient in cosmeceuticals because it plays an essential role in cellular
function as an antioxidant and primary scavenger of free radicals. It works
with vitamin E to protect against oxidative stress and helps the skin resist
future ageing.

Green tea – contains polyphenols that
are very powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. They inhibit
collagenase, the enzyme that causes degradation of collagen. It also contains
methylxanthines (alkaloids) that assist with reducing redness, irritation, and
inflammation. Green tea is 20 times stronger than the beneficial plant
chemicals that are found in vitamin E. It protects the skin cells from damage
by free radicals and UVB damage.

These are just a few of the natural cosmeceutical ingredients we use. For a full list of all our ingredients and a thorough explanation of what they do and why we use them, click here

Are you a fan of cosmeceuticals? Share your experiences and stories with us in the comments section below and you'll go into our bi-monthly draw to win free Mukti products!

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Hi, I'm Mukti, the founder and creator of Mukti Organics. My aim is to assist you in achieving beautiful, radiant skin without using products containing toxic chemicals. Certified organic skin care is better for you, your family and our planet. Click here to sign up and receive 15% off your first order. Signing up and commenting on our blog posts enters you into our bimonthly draw to receive $150 worth of products of your choice.